US plans first Cabinet-level visit to Taiwan in 14 years

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The top US environmental official will visit Taiwan in the first trip by a Cabinet-level leader from Washington to the Chinese-claimed island in 14 years, officials said.

Ms Gina McCarthy, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, will travel to Taiwan and Vietnam from Monday through Wednesday to discuss cooperation, her agency said in a statement on Saturday.

The trip would be the first by a Cabinet-level US official to Taiwan since 2000 when then US president Bill Clinton sent transportation secretary Rodney Slater.

China frequently protests any hint of international recognition for Taiwan, which it considers a province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.